DD has been increasing her bolting and running lately to the point of very, very close calls with cars and her favorite spot to do this is into streets and parking lots. When at walking speed she will wander ahead and especially outside be in her own world if a therapy lead walk is attempted even with cues. Therapist and I worked very hard at getting her to follow cues to only open the front door when asked, stay at the inside apartment building door and/or by mom and not open the door to the outside; weeks and weeks of work. She is now testing those limits and/or not thinking/stopping first. She has started now with and at the grandparents’ house as well. I am at a loss it is becoming such a danger, to the point where I have a rational fear she will soon be hit by a car. She is just shy of 3, sensory, gross motor, speech, hyper-lexic, OCD, behavior problems including manipulation of adults, emotionally/socially delayed, “possible autism” diagnosis in medical chart (new to me as of a couple days) for background.
This last time I was at a loss – I literally just picked her up, did not speak, put her in the car seat, drove home without speaking or looking at her, carried her in, and went to my room and locked the door behind me (after locking the house). At this point was the first time she showed any proper emotion by crying because she wanted mommy to come out – real tears but soon disappeared after I came out.
This is the lock I have on the front door below, she has seen me open the patio door now and will unlock that please link to a good lock, and I am considering the same front lock for her bedroom door as well.
https://www.amazon.com/ProGradeTM-Lever-Handle-Safety-1st/dp/B001FD4VNI/ref=pd_cp_hpc_0
Leash all the time no matter what? Umbrella stroller for grandma with bad back? I will ask therapist but no idea what to do to keep her safe/alive. She does not get danger and argues death (long story) and I am at my wits end.
P.S. - Sorry I only post when issues mostly, been in the denial that 3 year eval and first IEP is about a month around the corner and in deep fear that DD will have some sort of ODD too like my nephew.
Re: Help- Parents of Runners/Bolters/Wanderers
You have probably tried this, but I made a rule with him that he had to be holding hands with me when he wasnt in the stroller and we were out and about. It was my saving grace this pg when my DH was deployed. It took a few times of following thru ("hold my hand or you have to go in the stroller..."), but now as we go out the front door his hand shoots up for mine.
I concurr with pp that if his caretakers cant either keep up or keep her contained, then they shouldnt be her caretakers. Its a hard convo to have, I have had similar talks with my Mom.
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I will admit that I will throw DS in a shopping cart until he can't fit in it. I went to the only Target in our town once and an employee gave me a judgement that DS is getting too big for the cart. I still see that employee but I don't listen and doubt he would get it.
I do still have a toddler lock that covers the door knob on DS's door from the inside of his room. I can open from the outside.